A research has disclosed a new fact that diabetics are more prone to cancer.

Edward Giovannucci, lead author of the study and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston stated, "There's a strong consensus that there is a link between diabetes and cancer, and there are some very plausible biological links."

The new report has been jointly released by the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association on Wednesday.

The research discovered that insulin, and insulin-like growth factors, can raise the risk of some types of cancers, and that the majority of people with type two diabetes have high levels of circulating insulin, sometimes for years before they're diagnosed with diabetes.

There is sufficient proof to show a link between diabetes and an increased risk of liver, pancreas, endometrial, colon, rectal, breast and bladder cancer.

But, the research discovered evidence that diabetes is linked with a reduced prostate cancer risk.

The research panel detected that the commonly used type two diabetes medication, metformin, might offer users some protection against cancer.

This may be because the drug reduces insulin resistance and lowers the need for additional insulin, or that metformin may act on cells in other direct or indirect ways, the report said.

Giovannucci said the most important message to take away from this research is the "profound effects that lifestyle changes can have on your risk of diabetes and your risk of cancer". (With Inputs from Agencies)